Cowley County Issues Disaster Proclamation, Seeks Emergency Funds

Cowley County commissioners approved a proclamation of local disaster following recent flooding. The proclamation was made by commission chairman Alan Groom Tuesday.

In conjunction with the proclamation, Cowley County Emergency Management Director Brian Stone told KSOK-Newscow that the Kansas Division of Emergency Management is collecting damage assessment information from all counties affected by the flooding, including Cowley County. Once the county is able to provide a preliminary assessment of monetary damages, it will submit that information to KDEM.

Once all of the data is collected the information will be submitted to FEMA and a Federal declaration will be requested if damages meet the state’s threshold.

If approved, affected jurisdictions will begin working with KDEM and FEMA officials to request partial reimbursement for their costs. This local declaration is one of the first steps in getting this process started, according to Stone.

Stone said Cowley County is seeking disaster monies for barricades and roadway damage, particularly for gravel roads that washed away.